The impact of tick control on the productivity of indigenous cattle under ranch conditions in Uganda

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2003 Jun;35(3):237-47. doi: 10.1023/a:1023395413568.

Abstract

The impact of tick control on the productivity of indigenous cattle was investigated in three herds of East African shorthorn Zebu and Zebu x Ankole (Nganda) breeds, maintained under three tick management systems practised under ranch conditions: twice-a-week dipping, once-a-month dipping, and no tick control. The milk production and the growth rates of pre-weaned and post-weaned calves were monitored once a month over a period of 34 months. Milk offtake was 23% higher during the heavy rainy seasons than in the long dry seasons. Twice-a-week dipping increased the milk offtake by 21% in the second year of study and prolonged the duration of lactation in cows. Similarly, twice-a-week dipping increased the pre-weaning growth rate by 39% in the second year of study, but had no significant effect on the post-weaning growth rate. Generally, the growth rate of calves were greatest during the heavy rainy seasons and least during the long dry seasons. These results provide a basis for assessing the losses under different tick management systems in the various production systems.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Cattle / growth & development*
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
  • Chlorfenvinphos / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Insecticides / administration & dosage*
  • Lactation / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds*
  • Seasons
  • Tick Control / methods*
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / parasitology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / prevention & control
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary*
  • Ticks / growth & development*
  • Ticks / metabolism
  • Uganda

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • Chlorfenvinphos